The Matcha Tokyo is catnip for matcha snobs. Trading in 100% organic matcha morphed into myriad treats, it's a place for those who crave virginal first flush leaves, and nothing but. 

A minimalist shrine to top-tier green tea, The Matcha Tokyo's neutral walls highlight every fern-hued swirl of soft serve, frothy latte, crumbly cookie and icy lemonade. 

Founded in Japan, in 2018, the company has grown to include nearly 60 locations worldwide. The Toronto outpost is North America's first. 

"I learned about The Matcha Tokyo about 3 years ago," says Canadian distributor and franchise owner, Kristina Bura. "I was with my husband travelling in Japan and we truly enjoyed our first visit to The Matcha Tokyo in Omotesando. … It was the first time I had tried matcha of this quality."

That quality, she explains, owes to the fact that the company owns and operates 11 square kilometres of Japanese farmland. It's there that the 100% organic matcha and 100% organic hojicha for all of the cafés is grown.

While so-called "ceremonial grade" may cut it at other businesses, The Matcha Tokyo uses only first flush leaves (from spring's first harvest) in its drinks. Vivid in colour and nutrient-rich, this premium grade is naturally sweet, smooth and balanced, never grassy or bitter.  

For Bura, post-vacation blues were exacerbated by the grim realization that matcha in Toronto and matcha in Omotesando shared few similarities. "Trying to get that same level of quality we had in Tokyo proved to be impossible. […] I faced disappointment every time I ordered a matcha latte while back home." 

Still, she adds, "this disappointment fueled what was to come."

Opened in early May, The Matcha Tokyo Ossington is a faithful imitation of its siblings. Working with the Japanese team, Bura created a destination that's refined and pristine, staffed by true believers. Details—such as organic milk from Sheldon Creek Dairy and handcrafted black bamboo chasen whisks—feel apropos given the distinction in each cup. 

Despite a fairly concise menu, decisions add up. Drinks can be made with premium or gold blend matcha; they can be served hot or over ice; they can be stirred with seasonal ingredients (think lemonade or strawberries) or mixed with coffee. 

Given the shop's popularity, you'll welcome the news that team members hand-whisk large quantities of matcha every two hours. Used in certain cold drinks, like the zingy matcha lemonade ($9.65), it's vibrant and frothy. 

Also served cold, the Luxe Matcha Latte ($12.50) finds a ribbon of milk (dairy, oat, soy or lactose-free) cutting through the green.

Orders that include a side of spectacle, the iced Gold Blend ($10.25) and hot latte ($9.25), are each whisked to order. Eye-opening and complex, the deep flavour of the first reflects the highest-quality, most expensive matcha leaves.

The second, a Matcha Tokyo signature, reveals the exceptional ritual of matcha, not just its popular flavour.

More of a coffee drinker? Though options are slim, the matcha coffee latte ($9.95) fills the void while multitasking as a shrewd gateway to the other side. 

Snacks that lean sweet, quick bites at The Matcha Tokyo hold fast to the theme. There are matcha-laced granola bars and moss-tinted swirls of matcha soft serve ($7.75).

Made in partnership with Cuckoo Cakery, there's also a trio of matcha-forward bakes to nibble alongside your go-to sip. 

Made with almond flour, the Matcha Dacquoise ($8.15) features rich matcha butter ganache.

Infinitely more portable, the white chocolate matcha cookie ($6.50) is delicately sweet, with crunch from cashews and puddles of goo from creamy pools of Valrhona white chocolate. 

Inspired by Hokkaido's Royce' Confection Co., specifically its velvety-smooth Nama Chocolate, the chocolate basque cheesecake ($13.25) marries a creamy, crustless core with a plush layer of matcha-flavoured chocolate ganache. Hover until you find a seat; you don't want to devour this in transit. 

With plans to expand The Matcha Tokyo within Toronto, then the country, Bura is committed to sharing what she first experienced in Omotesando with as many customers as she can. "Toronto deserves matcha the way it's supposed to be."

The Matcha Tokyo is located at 139 Ossington Avenue.